Forest Ranger, starting from Picking Up a Lynx Girl

"The scientific expedition team is asking for help? What happened, take your time and explain."

On the other end of the phone, Yin Li calmed his emotions and paused for a few seconds before speaking again.

After they left, the expedition team completed the standard scientific procedures at Zhuonai Lake and was getting ready to head to the next survey site.

Their mission this time in the uninhabited region was heavy-duty, with the planned research time lasting up to a year.

Sampling in each location wasn't just a one-off thing; they had to return for a second, or even third time, to sample in different seasons.

From assembling the team in March to now, the first round of sampling was about to wrap up, with the final four sites expected to be completed within half a month.

Afterward, they needed to return to the provincial university's lab for analysis; one month later, they would begin the second phase of sampling and seasonal analysis.

The incident occurred while they were en route to the penultimate site.

"What we can be sure of now is that they were caught between two wild beasts. To call it being caught isn't exactly right either; the two beasts didn't attack them, but they blocked their way and wouldn't let them pass."

Yin Li had been working in this area for several months and after contacting some old comrades for information, he discovered that nothing as outrageous as this had happened in decades.

The wildlife wasn't attacking, and they couldn't attack the animals either, so now they were at a standoff.

"The nearest protection station has already sent someone for support, so their safety shouldn't be a problem. The team leader called me probably to ask you what might have caused this situation."

Chen Ying stroked his chin and opened the map on his computer.

The internal website had a dedicated patrol map, which also marked temporary campsites, potential camping areas, and high-risk spots uncovered in previous years.

Chen Ying made a few gestures and connected the dots described by Yin Li. It was clear that this area was where snow leopards and brown bears were most frequently spotted.

"The team leader can't identify which specific brown bear it is, but judging by the size, it looks similar to the one seen earlier at Zhuonai Lake."

Why would a big brown bear stop the scientific expedition team?

"Is there a possibility that there's danger ahead and the brown bear, recognizing or being familiar with the scent of the team members, stopped them?"

"We've considered this possibility as well, but satellite reconnaissance shows there have been no geological or natural disasters in that area."

"The comrades from the supporting protection station brought a drone. How about letting them contact you later?"

Chen Ying stood up to pack his things.

"Do you have any other comrades at your protection station who are familiar with the terrain, aside from Brother Cai Rang?"

"Are you planning on heading there right now?"

"Yes, the underlying logic of animals and humans when it comes to thinking is actually the same. If nothing happened, they wouldn't engage in behavior that contradicts their past responses. So, something must have happened that you can't discern through the animals' expressions and behavior, but I can."

Yin Li fell silent for a while, "I'll immediately put in a request and have Duo Ji take you to the Unfrozen River Protection Station. From there, the seasoned team members will escort you."

Time was of the essence. Ji Xin wanted to follow along, but Chen Ying convinced him to stay.

"I'm going for a rescue mission this time; you won't be much help. It's perfect timing since you wanted to plan and shoot a story about the patrol officers. Stay here and talk more with Sister Xiao Song; she can introduce you to some typical characters and events."

Ji Xin, clutching his camera, thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"Then, Brother Ying, please be careful on your way, your safety is the most important."

Three and a half hours later, he arrived at the Unfrozen River Protection Station; when he got out of the car, his legs were wobbly.

If not for the quick reflexes of the brother who had come to pick him up, he would have almost collapsed onto the ground.

"Duo Ji, what kind of driving is that?"

"No, it's not Duo Ji's fault, it was me who told him to speed up. Give me a moment to catch my breath, just a few minutes will do."

Driving on the grasslands, that was wildly reckless. Not letting Duo Ji be a race car driver was simply wasting his talent.

The driver for the second leg of the journey was a Tibetan uncle who was very quiet and not very fluent in Mandarin, but he had been working here for decades.

From his early days of anti-poaching with Sonam DJ to now, he was just two years away from a glorious retirement.

"Uncle Tashi is the stabilizing anchor of our Protection Station. Director Yin mentioned you needed a vehicle, and Uncle Tashi volunteered himself," someone said.

Chen Ying quickly expressed his gratitude.

Uncle Tashi spoke with an extremely hard-to-understand accent. Chen Ying caught a few words, and the deputy director at his side translated, saying that Uncle Tashi was very thankful for Dr. Chen coming to rescue the animals.

They had already heard that Chen Ying got along extremely well with the wildlife around Zhuonai Lake and could even make contact with Big Brown Bears and Snow Leopards without any barriers.

In the eyes of the local Tibetan people, the Snow Leopard, Big Brown Bear, and Wild Yak were the true masters of this wilderness.

And the sky belonged to the Golden Eagles and Vultures.

Chen Ying didn't expect that his efforts to rescue animals would earn him Uncle Tashi's appreciation; he quickly said that he was only doing what he should.

At that moment, he regretted not being more eloquent, not knowing how best to express his thanks.

The deputy director chuckled, crinkling his eyes, and patted Chen Ying on the shoulder.

"The wife of Uncle Tashi's family makes the best milk tea and Butter Tea in the plains. Once this is over, I'll take you to visit Uncle Tashi's home, so you can truly experience the warm hospitality of our Tibetan brothers here."

The deputy director knew that Jiamu Gully also had a mix of Tibetans and other minorities, but there were differences among the Tibetans themselves.

Chen Ying quickly agreed and began to consider what gifts he should bring when visiting.

After driving nonstop across the wilderness for over four hours, they finally saw the convoy of the research team.

In front of and alongside the convoy were two Brown Bears, three Snow Leopards, two Lynxes, and two packs of wolves.

"Are they… stirring up a wild animal den?"

The deputy director and Uncle Tashi, seasoned as they were, had never seen such a scene before.

It was common for wild beasts to launch attacks, but they seldom coordinated attacks on humans. Usually, it was just wolf packs or Brown Bears attacking livestock.

Moreover, Brown Bears, Snow Leopards, and wolves, they usually don't get along, do they?

Chen Ying quickly scanned the predators, and sure enough, the leader was the Big Brown Bear.

The wolf packs were unfamiliar; they likely were not the ones harmed by the Brown Bear.

As for the Snow Leopards, judging by their size and the intimacy among them, they were probably siblings who had just left their mother.

After surviving their first winter, they would choose their own lucky direction one morning or evening and depart without looking back.

Chen Ying got out of the vehicle, took a deep breath, and walked toward the Big Brown Bear with legs stiff from sitting too long.

The bear clearly recognized him, ran a few steps on all fours towards him, and then with a duang, plopped down, its body and fur quivering.

"Brother, what's going on? Why are you stopping them?"

"Howl, howl, roar, hung-ro."

Chen Ying's face changed dramatically, "What did you say? There's danger, and some Two-legged Beasts have already fallen in?"

Hearing Chen Ying's words, the others opened their eyes wide in disbelief.

"I'm not dreaming, am I? Is he actually directly communicating with wild animals?"

"Oh my god, can I apply for a change of major? I want to learn the language of beasts from Dr. Chen!"

"Dissection, dissection, research, research..."

The last person's words made his companions turn their heads to look at him.

This guy, he hasn't really gone crazy, has he?